Serpentine-mine
Guides
Agromyza alnivora
alder leafminer fly
Agromyza alnivora is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1969. The species is associated with alder (Alnus) as its host plant, as indicated by its specific epithet. Like other members of the genus, the larvae create serpentine or blotch mines within leaf tissue. The species is documented from North America.
Agromyza aristata
elm agromyzid leafminer
Agromyza aristata is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, commonly known as the elm agromyzid leafminer. The species creates serpentine leaf mines in elm leaves and shows a strong preference for American elm (Ulmus americana) over Asian elms and hybrids. It is widespread throughout eastern North America and has been documented as a pest in urban landscape settings.
Liriomyza brassicae
Cabbage leafminer, Serpentine leaf miner
Liriomyza brassicae is a leaf-mining agromyzid fly whose larvae create serpentine mines within the leaves of host plants. The species is a documented pest of brassicaceous crops including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Chinese broccoli. It has been recorded from South Florida and other regions of the United States including Vermont, Hawaii, and the conterminous 48 states.
Marmara apocynella
Marmara apocynella is a small moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is known from the eastern and midwestern United States, with records from Ohio, Maine, and Oklahoma. Its larvae are stem miners that feed on Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp), creating distinctive long, whitish, serpentine mines.
Marmara viburnella
Marmara viburnella is a micro-moth in the family Gracillariidae, subfamily Phyllocnistinae. It is a leaf-mining species whose larvae create serpentine mines in host plant foliage. The species is known from northeastern North America, with records from Canada (Quebec) and the United States (Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland). As a member of the genus Marmara, it exhibits the highly reduced wing venation and elongated body form characteristic of this group of minute moths.
Phyllocnistinae
Phyllocnistinae is a subfamily of leaf-mining moths within Gracillariidae. The group contains the genus Phyllocnistis, whose larvae are specialized serpentine leaf miners that feed between the upper and lower surfaces of host plant leaves. Members occur in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with some species achieving pest status on economically important crops.
Phyllocnistis populiella
common aspen leaf miner, aspen serpentine leafminer, Aspen Serpentine Leafminer Moth
Phyllocnistis populiella is a microlepidopteran leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. It has become common and abundant in western North America, where it feeds exclusively on Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen) and P. balsamifera (balsam poplar). Larvae create serpentine mines in the epidermal layer of leaves, with heavy infestations causing mid-summer defoliation. The species exhibits remarkable cold hardiness, overwintering as larvae in leaf litter with freeze tolerance to -40°C.
Phyllocnistis subpersea
Phyllocnistis subpersea is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2011. Adults are tiny, with forewings measuring 2–2.7 mm. The species is a specialist leafminer on Persea borbonia, creating distinctive serpentine mines on the undersides of leaves. Its specific name references this sub-leaf mining habit. The species has a restricted known distribution in southeastern United States coastal regions.
Phytomyza
Phytomyza is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae, comprising at least 170 described species. Larvae develop as miners within living plant leaves, creating distinctive serpentine or blotchy galleries between the upper and lower epidermis. Adults are small, typically black or dark-colored flies resembling tiny houseflies. The genus exhibits high host specificity, with individual species often restricted to particular plant genera or families.
Phytomyza hatfieldae
Phytomyza hatfieldae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described in 2018. Like other Phytomyza species, it likely produces serpentine leaf mines on host plants. The species is closely related to and potentially confused with the native holly leafminer (Phytomyza ilicicola), from which it may be distinguished by host plant associations and subtle morphological differences.
Phytomyza ilicicola
native holly leafminer, American Holly Leafminer
Phytomyza ilicicola is a specialist leaf-mining fly whose larvae create distinctive serpentine trails within the leaves of American holly (Ilex opaca). Adults are small black flies resembling houseflies that emerge in early spring, timed precisely with the appearance of tender new holly leaves. The species is notable for its intimate ecological relationship with its host plant, including the holly's defensive response of prematurely dropping heavily infested leaves.
Phytomyza nepetae
Phytomyza nepetae is a species of leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Hendel in 1922. As a member of the genus Phytomyza, it shares the characteristic biology of internal leaf-feeding larvae that create distinctive mines within host plant foliage. The specific epithet 'nepetae' suggests an association with Nepeta (catmint) species, though detailed host records are limited. Distribution records indicate presence in the northeastern United States, including Vermont.
Phytomyza pastinacae
Phytomyza pastinacae is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae. The species develops as a larva within the leaves of plants in the Apiaceae family, creating internal feeding galleries. It has been recorded across Europe, North America, and the Caucasus region.
Phytomyza spondylii
Phytomyza spondylii is a leaf-miner fly in the family Agromyzidae. Its larvae create conspicuous whitish serpentine mines within the leaves of host plants in the family Apiaceae. The species has been documented in France and shows a specialized biochemical adaptation to detoxify furocoumarins present in its host plants.
Phytomyza vomitoriae
Ilex vomitoria leafminer
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae that creates serpentine mines in leaves of yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria). Larvae feed internally between leaf surfaces, producing distinctive winding trails visible on the leaf exterior. Adults are small black flies that emerge in spring to coincide with new leaf growth. The species is closely related to Phytomyza ilicicola, which mines American holly (Ilex opaca).